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Psyringe: On top of that, you complain about not getting a refund from a shop that sells all its products DRM-free, _after_ downloading the game. How do you suppose this would work? Are you telling them "Well, I know I downloaded the game, and I now could play it as much as I want and on as many machines as i want for as long as I want, and you can never take it away from me, but I want my money back anyway"?
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Bapabooiee: To be fair, he did indicate that he emailed support only minutes after purchasing the game. Alan Wake's a fairly chunky game, so it'd have been impossible to download it within that timeframe.

And while the err is on his part for not paying attention to what GOG's about, and what it makes abundantly clear about itself -- DRM-free games -- I don't think his issue here is too unreasonable:

He bought a game, saw he was mistaken on what he would get, and immediately filed a support ticket, thinking that GOG support would take into account the purchase time, correlate it with the time the ticket was filed + their content server download metrics, in the hopes of getting a refund.

I can't really comment on GOG's response to the matter, since I don't know all the variables or all their policies. But fundamentally, I don't see a whole lot wrong with his issue.
Thank you. You said it much better than I did.
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hedwards: I mostly agree with you, but from the OP I think that he hadn't completed the download, only downloaded one one the files, not enough to make use of the game with or without DRM.
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Psyringe: I doubt that GOG support can check this. Usually there's a simple "downloaded" flag for game, which gets set as soon as any download of the game has begun. GamersGate handles it that way, and I'd wager that Steam does so too.

It might be possible for some technician / server admin to wade through the logs and determine whether a game had been downloaded completely and successfully, but that's really nothing that can be expected from any support team of a digital download shop. How many shops do you know that spend hours of data tracking, and go against their own terms of service, when the potential reward is losing a purchase? ;)

Also, for the actual request ("I want a Steam key for a game I bought on GOG, the one strictly DRM-free digital download shop on this planet!"), it doesn't even matter if the product was fully downloaded, that's a ridiculous request no matter how you slice it.
I agree with you, I was mostly pointing out that he hadn't finished the download. But yes, I would be surprised if they knew if the download finished.
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Psyringe: On top of that, you complain about not getting a refund from a shop that sells all its products DRM-free, _after_ downloading the game. How do you suppose this would work? Are you telling them "Well, I know I downloaded the game, and I now could play it as much as I want and on as many machines as i want for as long as I want, and you can never take it away from me, but I want my money back anyway"?
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Bapabooiee: To be fair, he did indicate that he emailed support only minutes after purchasing the game. Alan Wake's a fairly chunky game, so it'd have been impossible to download it within that timeframe.

And while the err is on his part for not paying attention to what GOG's about, and what it makes abundantly clear about itself -- DRM-free games -- I don't think his issue here is too unreasonable:

He bought a game, saw he was mistaken on what he would get, and immediately filed a support ticket, thinking that GOG support would take into account the purchase time, correlate it with the time the ticket was filed + their content server download metrics, in the hopes of getting a refund.

I can't really comment on GOG's response to the matter, since I don't know all the variables or all their policies. But fundamentally, I don't see a whole lot wrong with his issue.
I don't know, maybe if he hadn't started downloading files the situation might be different? Then I could possibly see the company saying "Ok, as long as you haven't downloaded it."

But I don't know much about their technical aspects - if you START to download something then stop, is it still considered downloaded?

Kinda like, "Ok, I'm at the top of this mountain, about to ski down. Once I push off there's no going back." So he stepped off... and then realized he didn't want to go. If he had just stayed at the top of the mountain and understood everything before moving, perhaps he would have made a different decision, or have gotten a different response.

But to say GoG is unethical or lacks integrity because of his failure to grasp the situation is pretty crappy.
GOG Refund Policy is like this:
http://www.gog.com/en/support/policies/terms_of_use

You can cancel a preorder and receive a full refund if you request this before the preordered game's release. The refund request becomes invalid if you attempted to download the game, or its bonus content.

You can request a replacement game of equal or lower value (for games purchased during discounts, the discounted price applies) if the request is made within 7 days after purchase, and you have not attempted to download the game or its bonus content.

A sale is considered final after 7 days after purchase, or when you make a download attempt for a game or its bonus content.
I assume when you clicked on the link, regardless of whether you cancelled it or not, it is considered as "make a download attempt"
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I sympathize with your dilemma but you are saying a company has no integrity because of your mistake, and you are assuming that they have some way of knowing you stopped the download when you did. Were not trolls because we disagree with you, we just think you are wrong.
Can't GOG just refund him and remove his account immediately? But i can't think any company opted this policy. Usually "good sold are not refundable".
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For those of you who do not know the Alan Wake download consists of multiple downloads. I clicked on two different very small sized files that were instantly canceled.

It's not like there was only 1 download link. There were 4 or 5 2GB download links and I didn't click on a single one of those. There is no way there is only a "yes/no" flag that says yes once you click any of the 10-15 links that were on the page. This is why I am doubting GoG's integrity along with their "support" which does not include a purchase confirmation email, a support ticket # with a copy of your concerns in an email and then a proper response. I believe I have valid reasons to doubt right now.

Thank you for those who understand the situation.

Also, the followup email I received said I could have gotten a refund had I not clicked on a link for those who missed that. So you can get a refund...they just make sure there is very little chance it could happen by not including any tools for support staff to use or even simply comparing time stamps.
Post edited May 09, 2012 by Amerika-p4l
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Amerika-p4l: For those of you who do not know the Alan Wake download consists of multiple downloads. I clicked on two different very small sized files that were instantly canceled.

It's not like there was only 1 download link. There were 4 or 5 2GB download links and I didn't click on a single one of those. There is no way there is only a "yes/no" flag that says yes once you click any of the 10-15 links that were on the page. This is why I am doubting GoG's integrity along with their "support" which does not include a purchase confirmation email, a support ticket # with a copy of your concerns in an email and then a proper response. I believe I have valid reasons to doubt right now.

Thank you for those who understand the situation.
According to GOGs terms of use :

Refund Policy
You can cancel a preorder and receive a full refund if you request this before the preordered game's release. The refund request becomes invalid if you attempted to download the game, or its bonus content.

You can request a replacement game of equal or lower value (for games purchased during discounts, the discounted price applies) if the request is made within 7 days after purchase, and you have not attempted to download the game or its bonus content.

A sale is considered final after 7 days after purchase, or when you make a download attempt for a game or its bonus content
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Amerika-p4l: 'snip
There is not much I can say that the others haven't already pointed out. Even if you are unable get your money back,there is nothing stopping you from enjoying the game. So what if it isn't steamed, you can still download and install the game. The only difference is you don't have to hop through Steam in order to enjoy it.

Just in the future before you buy don't make the assumption that everything comes Steamed. GoG is upfront with having no-drm, and if you check out their commercials they even make shots at Steam.

I gave you a +1 on your OP, I think the others were a bit too quick on the -1. People can be a bit on the overly defensive side here, tact is kind of important.

Weird that you didn't get a purchase confirmation, I get them whenever I purchase a game. Have you checked your spam folder? GoG's support isn't usually the best, I sent them an email conserning an issue (forgot what it was) and they didn't back to me. My problem was resolved by diggiing through the game's forum, but that is besides the point.

Hopefully, one of the mods will hop into the forum and give their input. Sometimes posting on this forum is a way to light the flames under support's rear end.
Post edited May 09, 2012 by Thunderstone
I believe GOG when they say that" According to our logs the game was already downloaded. In that case I'm afraid I'm not able to offer you a refund" . I believe that they don't want to make a customer unhappy but their system says it has been downloaded they can't give a refund or they would be setting up a way for massive fraud and people scamming to get free games.
Post edited May 09, 2012 by Whitewraith
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Whitewraith: I believe GOG when they say that" According to our logs game was already downloaded. In that case I'm afraid I'm not able to offer you a refund" . I believe that they don't want to make a customer unhappy but their system says it has been downloaded they can't give a refund or they would be setting up a way for massive fraud and people scamming to get free games.
This was their follow-up email which did not make any sense. Mind you, the download page has around 15 files or so you have to download with a lot of them being over 2GB in size (and I made a support ticket within minutes of purchase). And they only have a single "flag" to see whether or not ANY of those files were clicked?

Email
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Hello

I apologize for the inconvenience, however I'm afraid that due a technical reasons we are not able to verify if download was completed or not. Our log only shows that transfer was made, such info as how big it was is not have displayed as that would require implementing a spy application into our downloader, which we are not going to do.

Once again I apologize for the inconvenience but I'm really not able to fulfil your request. If I would agree to perform a refund for you I would simply have to made it with my own money.

Regards
JuriJ
GOG.com Support
Post edited May 09, 2012 by Amerika-p4l
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Amerika-p4l: Also, to the people saying "it's clearly stated as being DRM free". http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/alan_wake

Do a search for DRM on that page. There isn't a mention about it and naturally one would assume that a Steamworks title actually allows for the option to activate on Steam.
firstly, just because people disagree with you, it doesn't mean they are trolling. They are just giving their opinion.

Did you just go straight to the Alan Wake page or did you go to www.gog.com first?

www.gog.com clearly states that its games are DRM free.

I feel bad for you because you made a mistake, but it was your mistake, not gog's. People make mistakes all the time, that's why pencils have erasers.
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Amerika-p4l: Also, to the people saying "it's clearly stated as being DRM free". http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/alan_wake

Do a search for DRM on that page. There isn't a mention about it and naturally one would assume that a Steamworks title actually allows for the option to activate on Steam.
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htown1980: firstly, just because people disagree with you, it doesn't mean they are trolling. They are just giving their opinion.

Did you just go straight to the Alan Wake page or did you go to www.gog.com first?

www.gog.com clearly states that its games are DRM free.

I feel bad for you because you made a mistake, but it was your mistake, not gog's. People make mistakes all the time, that's why pencils have erasers.
I went straight to the purchase page which was linked from the Steam forums. Yes, it was my mistake but GoG is a company that has the ability to help support customers who make mistakes. And I noticed my mistake and acted on it quickly to help ensure that there would be no issues.

Am I out a game I want? Nope. I still haven't touched any download links in hopes that things could be rectified but after the last email from support I will probably have to do that. I simply wanted to enjoy the game and have it be a part of my library. Everything I read leading up to my purchase said it was a Steamworks game and there was nothing on the Alan Wake page about DRM in any form. I simply made my purchase based on reputation.

When I discovered my error I tried to rectify it and I believed GoG would assist me without issue and even though they didn't get my money now (if they coulnd't give me the steam code...which is what I asked for) I would definitely give them money in the future (I have over 200 digital game purchases). Now my experience is pretty much all sour grapes and even with the 25% off the new expansion I'll just buy it elsewhere. That's not a threat at all...it's just that I don't believe GoG deserves anymore of my patronage. I'm sure that will hurt me far more than them of course but I have principles and I don't think I'm out of line with what I was asking and how I asked it.

Anyway, thanks for those of you who took the time to digest what happened and didn't immediately blow up at me. I knew full well it would happen, as it does on any forum like this as people are dedicated to things they love, so I don't blame you guys. I just wanted to get my issue out in the open so that GoG could maybe think about updating their tools Support can use or change support policies among the other things I pointed out.

Good night all.
Post edited May 09, 2012 by Amerika-p4l
You are in the wrong, your mistake. Take possession of this and learn. Download the game and enjoy it DRM free with all the goodies and extras. Don't say theGOG system should of known what and how much you downloaded, it doesn't. I would bet a lot of money if you bought this on Steam and thought it came with a extra GOG key and asked their support for a refund you would be in a week long process where they would say no.
Post edited May 09, 2012 by Whitewraith
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Amerika-p4l: Also, to the people saying "it's clearly stated as being DRM free". http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/alan_wake

Do a search for DRM on that page. There isn't a mention about it and naturally one would assume that a Steamworks title actually allows for the option to activate on Steam.
One of the founding and most prominently stated principles of GOG is that all of their games are sold as DRM-free. They even explicitly say so on their front page. They've said so over and over in interviews, press releases, podcasts and YouTube videos. It's actually a gross logical fallacy to assume that GOG's copy of Alan Wake will have Steamworks like Amazon's, or Steam's, just because it doesn't mention anything about DRM.

I do feel your pain, because I have bought games here on the gamble that they would work in WINE (e.g. Descent 3), but on the other hand, given GOG's very explicit position on DRM (Which would obviously include Steam/Steamworks), it's hard to accept your excuse as valid.